It’s a source of debate every year at this time in the NBA when people have to vote for the awards. Who is the MVP?
But deliberation is just what the league wants. There are so many differing views on what constitutes the “Most Valuable Player” that there is rarely a winner that takes the award unanimously without some sort of dispute. Is it the player who is most valuable to his team, or is it the guy who is having an off-the-charts career season. Regardless of what you think, winning has to factor into the equation. If the player is not on a winning team, forget winning the award. I’ve always thought the NBA needs an MVP and a Most Outstanding Player.
This year might be one of those campaigns where there won’t be much of a argument. LeBron James of the Miami Heat is the best player in the NBA and on the planet, for that matter. There isn’t an opponent in the Association over which he doesn’t possess some sort of advantage.
James has all the natural abilities — he is too big and strong for the average to above average quickness of a perimeter player and too quick, at his size, for a bigger player who may be able to match his strength. There used to be a time in his career where you could neutralize James great size, strength and skill but those days are gone. He has figured it out and he, not the opposing defences, is dictating what type of shots he or his team will decide to attempt.
James individual numbers speak for themselves. He is having a career year putting up his best numbers with respect to field goal percentage, three-point field goal percentage and rebounding while setting an individual mark for fewest turnovers per game.
True, the likes of New York’s Carmelo Anthony, the NBA scoring champ, and Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant, who is also posting career highs in field goal percentage, assists and blocked shots will have their names mentioned for the award. Chris Paul has helped the Clippers win their first division title ever while also winning 50 games for the first time in club history and that will garner him some consideration as well. Before his injury Lakers guard Kobe Bryant was having another one of those seasons where he was playing outstanding basketball but his team was not winning. Kobe has had those seasons before where he has been terrific but with his team not winning, he has exited the season without the MVP award.
So let’s talk about winning. Yes Miami plays in a weaker of the two conferences but they still possess the NBA’s best record. They had a prolific 27-game win streak, second all-time in NBA history and yes, it’s the team’s numbers and where they line up historically that cement James as the MVP.
Over the last 33 seasons, the average win total of the MVP’s team is 61 victories. Numbers were extrapolated in lockout-shortened seasons but you understand the point of reference. No wins, no MVP trophy. Only six times has the MVP’s team had a winning percentage of less than .700 and only one of those was under .600. Last season was one of those campaigns and James was the MVP. But to prove it was no fluke, James led his team to the NBA title, won the NBA Finals MVP trophy and then helped team USA raise Old Glory at the Olympics as they stood on the top step of the podium to receive the gold medal.
And while the Thunder, Knicks, and Clippers have won enough to have their guy qualify, and be in the mix for MVP chatter, just go back and look at James numbers as he has already passed the eye test.
As I reflect back, I often wondered why Michael Jordan wasn’t the MVP in every season he played. I now have the answer, the voters just decided they would spread it around as Jordan’s greatness became pedestrian and taken for granted. In James, NBA fans are witnessing another potential generational-type of player. He may not end up with as many championship rings as Jordan but similar to a player like Wilt Chamberlain, the things that he does on the floor and his impact on the game are immeasurable.
Former NBA players who were considered greats in their own time have marveled at what James is able to do on the floor while controlling and orchestrating the tempo of the game. They tread lightly when making comparisons to Jordan because the key element of winning championships is not present with the same consistency and regularity. But make no mistake having been on the floor, in that environment, James’ ability has them shaking their heads. His skill level and possible pending accomplishments may just start to have them whisper comparative thoughts aloud. Charles Barkley is one who never thought he would compare anyone to Jordan and even he is starting to eye both players’ games in a proportional sense.
If James doesn’t win the MVP, call the authorities and medical personnel to examine who stole the award and what the people who didn’t vote for him were not able to comprehend. LeBron James will be a runaway winner of this season’s MVP award.